Airguns - Why Aren't They Lethal?

[Oh Shoot]

Something I never really thought about before:

Lots of air guns/rifles shoot at 800-1000 fps.

But they don't seem to be very human lethal (maybe in eye socket or temple at near contact distance).

Well, lots of .38 and less calibers are only 750-900 fps, but a well placed shot or three will generally do it.

So, what's the big diff?

- OS

[Guest Muttling]

Something I never really thought about before:

Lots of air guns/rifles shoot at 800-1000 fps.

But they don't seem to be very human lethal (maybe in eye socket or temple at near contact distance).

Well, lots of .38 and less calibers are only 750-900 fps, but a well placed shot or three will generally do it.

So, what's the big diff?

- OS

While I understand with your logic, I think it is best that we not plant ideas by asking the questions.

Airguns and wrist rockets have lethal potential but aren't viewed on the level with fire arms. Works for me.

[MacGyver]

Typical .177 pellet is only 8.3 grains. Many cases of lethality reported over the years, but it seems like the simple math of F=MA doesn't often lead to doing terminal damage to a bigger target.

I guess our moms were right. You really are more likely to shoot your eye out.

[Guest 70below]

Not enough energy there to penetrate deeply, and even if it does penetrate....its still only a .177 hole with little to no expansion. Now....you bump up to a .22 cal bullet about 55gr and throw it at 3000fps.....you've more apt to cause some damage. Ala .223/5.56mm.

[Wingshooter]

Looks like it would be fun to hunt with one of the big bore airguns.

[Guest gunslinger707]

I have a .22 cal.and two .177 cal.air rifle's I don't want to get shot with either one !!!!!!! All three will shoot through both side's of a tin can at thirty yd's.The .22 leave's about a .36 cal.exit hole in the can and the .177's about .22 cal.size.Either one could cause serious injury or death !! As with any weapon SAFETY must be practised.

[Moped]

Air guns have been used in war. The Austrian Army used them to great effect against Napolean in the late 1700's and early 1800's. These guns used a resevoir that could fire 20 .44 cal. lead balls at over 1000 fps. There were several advantages to using air guns at the time. You didn't have to mess with powder and all the dangers that came with it. Can't have wet air, but you can have wet powder. They were quite. And lastly they didn't produce any smoke to hinder the soldier's sight. Napolean declared at one point that any Austrian Soldier caught with an air gun was to be executed on the spot as an assassin. Sounds like they were pretty deadly!

Also Lewis and Clark carried one on they exploration of the Louisana Purchase, in case the powder ran out or got wet. They used it for hunting.

I believe there was a case, not to long ago, here in Knoxville were a young girl was accidently shot in the head at close range with a pellet pistol and died. Don't know all the facts, but I do remember the story.

[Guest lci419]

Indeed, Lewis and Clark carried one with them on their historic journey. In fact, they accidentally killed a man in St. Louis with it. An excellent web page on the topic of these air guns is on this page:

In Progress -

[DaveTN]

So, what's the big diff?

Mass.

Velocity means nothing without it. Surface area and mass are commonly overlooked in the caliber wars.

And I believe my air gun would kill someone if I shot them in the head point blank.